For years now, many Nationals fans have been advancing a common theory about the presidents race: Teddy will win when the Nationals win.

From the Nationals Park stands to the Red Loft bar to Twitter and online discussion forums, the only thing up for debate among many fans is the exact timing. When they make the playoffs. When they win the division. When they finish their first winning season. When they host their first playoff game. When they win a pennant. When they make the Worlds Series. When they win the World Series. Everybody has a theory.

On Thursday night, the first of those milestones passed. The Nationals clinched their first playoff berth, and if the chatter on Twitter is any indication, quite a few people are expecting a Roosevelt victory Friday night at Nationals Park.

“If, say, Teddy wins during the Nationals’ first home playoff game, and the Nats subsequently lose that game,” Hamilton writes, “the ‘When will Teddy win?’ discussion will devolve into ‘The Curse of Teddy.’

Hamilton’s solution? “Avoid the decision. Announce he’s reached his (between) innings limit for the season, and shut him down. It worked with Strasburg.”

Cute.

Personally, I don’t know when Teddy’s going to win. I just know I have to be there when it happens.

One Response

I have always held this theory as well, and thought before the season that it would occur the day after they clinched a playoff spot. I don’t believe that now, given the way the team has approched last night’s milestone. I think it will happen the day after they clinch the East.

If not, I figure it will happen during the first game of the World Series, if they get there, or the first game of next season, if they don’t.